The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability has been primarily manifested by complaints of pain and limitation of motion, without muscle atrophy or swelling. The current degree of disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed no evidence of muscle atrophy or swelling, which are factors typically considered in determining an increased rating for the right shoulder disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder trauma, Degenerative joint disease (right shoulder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0828011
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0828011.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but the issues of service connection for a right arm disability and numbness of thumb and index finger remain pending. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions are pending.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.